Best Running Gear for Men

What Runners Want

How to stay connected, motivated, and hydrated on every mile

Klipsch S4i

We ask three things out of a pair of sport earbuds: They need to sound great, stay put, and not cost us a fortune. Out of all the models we tested, Klipsch’s S4i’s met those challenges the best, and delivered by far the highest-quality sound. You can get a pair for a shave under $100, and the interchangeable covers will ensure a tight fit, and allow for easy replacement should they get gunked up or worn down from repeated use. One caveat: If you perspire heavily, we recommend going with the A5i Sport model. The flex wire design will do a better job of staying put.

Garmin Forerunner 610

No detail of your weekly run goes untracked when you’re donning this deceptively simple-looking Forerunner on your wrist. Thanks to Garmin’s world-class GPS tracking ability, you’re assured to get one of the most accurate readings possible on the timing and distance of your run. You can also keep an eye on your pace, as well as a rough estimate of the calories you’ve torched. That’s all pretty standard, though. For us, what sets the Forerunner apart is its ultra-cool Virtual Racer feature—a program that lets you set personal goals—go for that six-minute mile!—and compete against your best time when you revisit a route you’ve previously conquered. Click here for three more fitness gadgets[9] that can help you work harder and stick with your plan.

My Rad Dog Release 'N Run

We never thought of a dog’s leash as a particularly cumbersome bit of equipment—but after testing out My Rad Dog’s Release ‘N Run, we never want to get stuck carrying around a needless strip of fabric ever again. The Release ‘N Run frees you of that minor burden by seamlessly combining the leash and the collar into one. Just pull on the handle and the leash extends, let it go and it retracts into the collar—all while your four-legged companion enjoys his newfound freedom.

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Nike + Sportwatch Tom Tom GPS

Not only does Nike make the best looking GPS-enabled running watch we’ve seen, but at a shave under $200, they’ve also managed to make it (somewhat) affordable compared to many of its closest competitors. In addition to the standard tracking features—distance, pace, and calorie burn—you can also save the times and routes for up to 50 of your previous runs. A secondary benefit includes membership to Nike’s thriving online running club, Nike Plus—the largest online community of its kind—where millions of users upload custom-designed running routes, track progress, and pose challenges to each other.

Nathan Speed 4R Energy Belt

When you’ve graduated beyond 5Ks and have entered into marathoner territory, you’ll need a constant source of fuel to keep you going. Nathan’s Energy Belt provides an easy storehouse for gels, energy bars, and miniature water bottles. Sure, it may not be the most stylish accessory you’ll ever wear, but we’d rather look a little dorky than risk being that guy hunched by the side of the road back at mile 9. Know how much you should be drinking: Follow this simple guideline[12].

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Nike Men's Vapor Flash Jacket

Safety and style usually sit at odds. Leave it to Nike to find a way for both of them to get along. For runners who prefer to get their daily miles by moonlight, the Vapor Flash is the best precaution to getting flattened on the side of the road. The reversible jacket contains glass spheres woven into the fabric that reflect 400-candlepower light. During the day, just flip it inside out and you’ll have a stylish, silver matte windbreaker perfect for a long run on a breezy afternoon. Click here for three more pieces of double-duty workout gear[13]
that would make MacGuyver proud.

Sportline HydraCoach

We’ve all heard the advice that we need to drink more H20. Now, there’s finally a water bottle that makes that advice harder to ignore. The HydraCoach is, to put it bluntly, the smartest bottle you’ll ever squeeze. For starters, it’ll calculate your personal hydration goals—a daily recommendation of how much water you should imbibe. Then it tracks the amount of fluid you’ve consumed and displays it on a small LED screen embedded on the front. When you’re behind on sips, it helps you pick up the pace. Not quite the most fun drinking game we’ve ever played, but certainly healthier.

Trigger Point Cold Roller

Combine cold compression and deep-tissue massage, and you’ll have a pretty good idea what the Cold Roller from Trigger Point Performance is all about. This gel-filled steel cylinder is the foam roller on ice. It helps that it can get so cold, it’ll numb your sore calves. It’s recommended that you chill it at least six hours before using. But we don’t see why it won’t also roll out aching muscles at room temperature.

Adidas Supernova SS Tee

Hikers like to use the expression “cotton kills” to describe the sweat-soaked sensation of walking miles in the thick, unforgiving fabric. That’s nothing, however, compared to what the average runner endures in a cotton tee. Do your body a favor this summer and invest in a sweat-wicking, ventilated shirt like this one from Adidas, and remove the misery—some of it, anyway—from each mile.

Swiftwick Performance Zero Socks

We don’t envy the people who work on developing a better running sock: They’re tasked with creating something that can endure miles of punishment, day after day, and emerge sweat-soaked, and hopefully not too smelly. So far, we’ve found one brand that stood up to the test: Swiftwick’s socks are made with ultra-durable Olefin fibers that retain less than 0.1 percent of their weight in moisture. The company, which makes all of its products in America, even guarantees your money back if they’re not the “best socks you’ve ever worn.” Challenge accepted.

Men Science TiO2 SPF 30 Sunblock

Your quads and your joints aren’t the only parts of your body that take a beating on your weekend jog. While those aches will eventually fade away, the toll that the sun’s UV rays take on your skin could last for life if you’re not careful. Any sunblock with SPF 30 or above will do the trick. Men’s Health dermatology advisor Adnan Nasir, M.D., recommends this option from Men Science. You can also try YouVee’s Sunscreen Wipes for a more easily portable alternative.

Body-Glide

It may look like an average stick of deodorant, but Body-Glide serves an even more critical purpose for long-distance runners. Swipe this stuff a few times over your thighs, your feet, and any other sensitive areas prone to rubbing and chafing. By the time you hit mile 12, it’ll be among the smartest six bucks you’ll have spent all summer.

PowerBar Gel

In terms of sheer variety, it’s hard to beat PowerBar’s line of performance energy gels. They everything from staples like vanilla and chocolate to newer flavors like pear apple peach. PowerBar’s gels also pack a little more sodium—and in a couple of cases, caffeine—than most. And they deserve a round of kudos for the innovative design: The newest blends have twist-off cap which makes opening them a breeze, especially when your hands are drenched in sweat.

Snap Infusion Energy Candy

If you’re not a fan of those gloopy gel packs, try Snap’s line of infused “supercandy.” Each of the five options, which include caramels, tarts, jellybeans, gummies, and chewing gum, are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and electrolytes to help power you toward your next PR. The manufacturer recently garnered endorsements from the U.S. Olympic ski team and the Spartan Race.

Sporteer Armband

Not only is the PDO Sporteer armband compatible with almost every popular smartphone model—including the iPhone, HTC, Samsung, and Motorola—it also has separate pockets for cash, keys, and cards, without weighing down your bicep. No wonder the editors of the tech blog Mashable voted it the world’s best.

FitBit Flex

We’ve been inundated with all manner of workout trackers over the past year, so when Fitbit announced the FLEX, let’s just say our wrist was already a bit crowded. No longer. The FLEX is a game-changer, and if you need more incentive to move away from the couch this summer, it’ll work wonders. What appears to be a simple wristband is actually crammed with some mind-blowing tech—it tracks your steps, calories burned, the distance you’ve traveled, how many hours you’ve slept, even the quality of your sleep. And it presents all of that information in a simple, gorgeously designed interface that you can access anytime on your iPhone or desktop. Pair it with the Fitbit Aria—a wi-fi enabled scale—and it’ll sync your weight and body-fat percentage to help you keep track of your weight-loss goals.

Bose SiE2 Sport Headphones

When you buy from Bose, you can usually feel confident that you’re going to get some of the best sound quality per dollar of any manufacturer out there. These sport headphones, however, are also extremely durable, and unlike a few other models we tried, they stayed firmly secured. The speakers are strategically positioned to avoid sweat and deflect wind noise. One gripe: Many people pointed out that they could’ve used an inch or two more slack on the cord. And at $150, it’s a stretch for the average runner’s budget.

Klipsch A5i

Other headphones are prone to slippage when sweat builds up in the ears, or popping out in the middle of a race when you accidentally jostle the cord. The A5i’s unique over-ear flex-wire framework helps keep the headphones secure in every situation, and they come with a three-button remote to make pausing and controlling volume a breeze.

JayBird Bluebuds X

Serious runners are about to get to know JayBird. Not only is the company one of the fastest growing in the U.S., but they also manufacture the official training headphones of the USA Triathlon team. Try out the BlueBudsX, and you’ll quickly see why. Put simply, they’re the best Bluetooth headphones on the market—wireless, lightweight, stylish, and they last up to 8 hours on a single charge. At $170, they’re by far the most expensive model we tried, but the lifetime warranty could help justify the steep investment.

Smith Optics Approach Max

The Approach Max is one of the newest in Smith’s ultra-light, polarized line of high-end active sunglasses. A few things make them ideal for your run: The brow bar—a little strip along the top—keeps glare and interference to a minimum. A two-way adjustable nose piece lets you customize the fit and decrease air flow through the lenses the megol temples keep the frames affixed to your face. You’ll also get three pairs of interchangeable lenses, and three lens tint options to work with, so they’re versatile for all kinds of conditions.